Sarah Duguid
Across South Africa, criminals walk free every day because of poor investigation methods. Police officers often see their cases thrown out of court because they are not sufficiently skilled to know how to follow proper procedure.
There are 18 000 police officers currently employed as investigators, not counting private investigators, and they have all learned their investigation skills as a part of a wider policing degree programme. The country has never had a specialist degree that exclusively teaches the skills detectives need to piece together watertight cases. Until now.
Technikon SA in Florida has responded to the problem by creating South Africa’s first forensic investigation degree. Designed by Dr Nick Olivier, a former brigadier in the police force, the course aims to enhance investigation skills, turn around the poor conviction rates and successfully put criminals behind bars.
Forensic investigation is the application of scientific methods to solve crimes. It is one of the most complex areas of law enforcement and building a prosecutable case requires highly trained professionals.
Olivier held discussions with both the police force and industry that uncovered the need for a career-focused education that concentrated on scientific methods in forensic investigation. Dr Danny Titus, dean of Technikon SA’s faculty of safety and security, says the faculty recognises that the police are running a force with limited resources. The technikon wants to cooperate with the marketplace to provide the skills they need.
The course has been endorsed by police Commissioner Johan Ferreira, head of detective services Commissioner Johan de Beer and Sir Jon Stevens, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in London. Corporate investigators from PriceWaterhouse-Coopers and Eskom have already registered for the course and interest is growing among government department auditors and banks.
The programme also aims to teach police officers the skills needed to work with the victims of crime, such as victims of sexual abuse and rape who are deaf. Police officers will learn how to communicate with them and make it easier for the deaf to explain events surrounding the attack. They will also be taught how to make them feel at ease.
The technikon offers forensic investigation at BTech, MTech and DTech levels. At all levels the courses are taught through distance learning and are tailored for those working in the field.
The MTech can be taken full-time, over two years. There is also a part-time option over three to four years. Students who complete the MTech and DTech will be prepared for middle and top-level management as highly skilled investigators.
Applicants for admission can have their professional experience considered in place of formal qualifications. The technikon accepts applications three times a year and offers some bursaries.